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The VP70 was the first ever polymer-framed pistol (a distinction often incorrectly given to the Glock 17, which was actually introduced 12 years after the VP70). This made it far lighter than most other pistols available at the time weighing in at only 820 g (28.9 oz) when unloaded.

A unique feature of the pistol is the combination shoulder stock/holster available for the VP70M (from Militär, "military"), the military version, that, when mounted, allows selective fire, enabling the pistol to fire in three-round bursts as well as the standard semi-automatic. When not in use, the shoulder stock doubles as a holster for the weapon. The civilian model of the pistol, the VP70Z (from Zivil, "civilian"), does not feature burst-fire capability, although some can still mount the shoulder stock.

In Aliens, the VP70M is the standard sidearm of the Colonial Marines, despite the fact that, in reality, the pistol ceased production in 1989, some 190 years before the events of the film. It is seen being use by Private Frost and Lieutenant Gorman. Corporal Ferro tries to draw hers, but Is killed by an Alien.

Gorman's Pistol as it appears in Aliens: Colonial Marines.

In Aliens: Colonial Marines, the VP70Z (erroneously; the pistol was a VP70M in Aliens) appears as the Legendary WeaponGorman's Pistol. Also, the 88 Mod 4 Combat Pistol seen in the game appears to be an updated VP70Z and is visually the same, apart from the different slide markings (the 88 Mod 4 reads "MK 88 Mod 4") and the lack of "HK" (standing for Heckler & Koch) on the pistol grip.

The VP70 was chosen for its role in Aliens because of its futuristic appearance (particularly at the time the film was made). Furthermore, it remains a fairly obscure weapon, and its ambiguity helped to mask its real-world origins in the movie.[4] Using an unusual but existing weapon for the Marines' sidearm was also far cheaper than modifying a more common pistol to look futuristic, as with the Pulse Rifles.

↑David Higginbotham. "The HK VP70 The First Polymer Framed Pistol". Guns.com. Retrieved on 2013-11-10. "HK says the VP [...] means Volks Pistole or People’s Pistol [...] This is where another (erroneous) name for the pistol comes from. Vollautomatische Pistole."